Description and habitat
Sassafras is a widely recognized tree to local naturalists in the Long Point Basin, where it is abundant. It is also found throughout most of the eastern United States, though in Canada, it is restricted to southwestern Ontario’s Lake Erie Region or “Carolinian Life Zone”, given this name by some ecologists due to the presence of wildlife typical of southerly regions, such as the Carolinas. In addition to Long Point, large populations of Sassafras occur at the Skunk’s Misery of southwestern Middlesex County, and Rondeau Provincial Park. The Sassafras genus only has 3 species – the other two are the Asian Sassafras tzumu of southern China, and Sassafras randaiense, endemic to Taiwan.
Unique among Ontario’s trees, Sassafras leaves have a variety of leaf shapes. These include oval, mitten-shaped (2 asymmetrical lobes), and trident-shaped (3 lobes). All Sassafras leaves have entire margins (smooth leaf edges), and are alternately arranged on the branch, typically measuring between 10-20 cm. The bark of Sassafras is a chocolate brown with deep furrows and soft ridges. The leaves and bark are the two features most reliable in the identification of Sassafras. It is often observed as a small-diameter, slender tree, though Sassafras has the potential to become a large tree >35 m tall in ideal growing conditions. Sassafras is moderately shade tolerant – able to persist in the understory of dense forests until the creation of a gap allows for growth into the canopy. Every autumn, Sassafras foliage transitions from verdant green into a brilliant shade of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy; it is one of Ontario’s more impressive trees considering the autumn foliage display.
In terms of habitat, Sassafras is most often found in moist forest ecosystems alongside maples (Acer sp.), oaks (Quercus sp.) hickories (Carya sp.), ashes (Fraxinus sp.), American Basswood (Tilia americana) and tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera). The understory of Sassafras forests is usually a diverse set of shrubs and wildflowers – often including Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Dogwood (Cornus sp.), and Blue-beech (Carpinus caroliniana). Sassafras is occasionally found in oak woodland-savannas, and swamp edges. It is intolerant of flooded conditions, so it is not found within swamps or wet riparian areas.
Wildlife importance
Sassafras is a member of the Laurel Family (Lauraceae). It is related to Spicebush – both species have small, showy yellow flowers that emerge in the spring before the leaves. They are collectively the host plants of Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio triolus), one of Ontario’s largest butterflies. Sassafras foliage is also consumed by several moth species, including the Promethea (Callosamia promethea), Cecropia (Hyalophora cecropia), Tulip-tree Beauty (Epimecis hortaria), Spotted Apatelo (Apatelodes torrefacta), and Imperial Moths (Eacles imperialis). The dark blue fruits – circular 1 cm wide drupes, are an important food source for many wildlife species, especially birds, such as the woodpeckers (Picidae), flycatchers (Tyrannidae), vireos (Vireo sp.), thrashers (Toxostoma rufum), catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina), and the Catharus thrushes (Hermit Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, etc.).
Fun facts
- Historically, the roots of the Sassafras tree were used to make root beer. The oil extracted from the roots (safrole) was a key flavoring ingredient. However, safrole is now considered a potential carcinogen, and modern root beer is typically flavored artificially.
- Sassafras trees are dioecious – individual trees are either male (producing only pollen) or female (producing only fruit after pollination), and both are needed for fruit production!
- Sassafras is aromatic. This is due to the presence of volatile oils, especially safrole. Some people describe the scent as fruity!
- Though leaf shapes can be found throughout the tree, mitten-shaped leaves are more common on the lower branches (and saplings), while unlobed oval leaves are more common in sun-exposed areas at the top of the tree.
- Sassafras bark was once a major North American export for medicinal purposes!
Written by Matthew Palarchio, HBSc in Environmental Sciences, Western University.
All photos are provided by Matthew Palarchio
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